Seminar on “From Martyrdom to Independence" was held in Pakistan.
Seminar on " From Martyrdom to Independence" was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Pakistan with the cooperation of IQRA University, Islamabad Campus, dedicated to the 29th anniversary of "20 January - National Commemoration Day".
Talha Mahmood, Chairman Standing Committee of the Senate of
Speaking at the Ceremony that began with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan, Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Abrar Hussain, referring to the historical background of the 20 January massacre, pointed out that the unprecedented brutality against the Azerbaijani people, who went to the streets for their constitutional rights, was perpetrated, nevertheless people of Azerbaijan demonstrated their determination for freedom and gained independence.
The diplomat said that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize independence of Azerbaijan and to support it on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Since that time, as a result of the wise policy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved progress in all areas, also political, humanitarian, cultural and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan improved.
The Chancellor of IQRA National University, Obaid-ur-Rehman, said that self-sacrifice is essential for the free survival of a nation, and that the people of Azerbaijan and Pakistan have won their independence by struggling and giving martyrs. He expressed his satisfaction with the celebration of the 20 January martyrs' role in the freedom of Azerbaijan in the University and emphasized the importance of teaching these historical truths of the friendly and brotherly nation at the university level.
Talha Mahmood, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Senate of Pakistan said in his speech that the 20 January martyrs' heroism helped Azerbaijan to gain independence. He noted that Pakistan has always had a brotherly attitude towards independent Azerbaijan, condemned Armenian aggression, and supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on all platforms. Talha Mahmood recalled his visit to Azerbaijan and noted that during the visit he better understood the role of the martyrs of 20 January and other martyrs’, who later sacrificed their lives for the sake of the freedom of Azerbaijan, at the memory of the people of Azerbaijan, and at the same time he emphasized that, under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan, socio-economic, infrastructure, energy and other fields has much developed. He added that it is important for Pakistan to benefit from the experience of Azerbaijan in the field of energy research.
Ali Alizada, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan said that along with the commemoration of the martyrs of 20 January - “National Commemoration Day", it is also the day of Pride in Azerbaijani history. Stressing that the policy of ethnic discrimination in the USSR has grown ever since 1987, the Ambassador pointed out that this political line and the territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan increased tensions in the region, while the Azerbaijani people demanded the resignation of the Azerbaijani leadership at that time and the end of the Armenian cruelty against the Azerbaijanis. He argued that the main reason and aim of invasion of Baku and committing 20 January tragedy by the Soviet Army in 1990, was to stop the dissolution of the Communist regime, crush any opposition in Azerbaijan’s bid for independence, and support the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia. Ambassador informed the audience that according to the material of the Investigation Commission, the army involved a large number of Armenian reservists. “The Soviet mass media showed silence over the crime and while many politicians were scared to publicize this incident, the National Leader of Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, condemned this massacre during his speech in Moscow.”
Ambassador Ali Alizada stated, the day of January 20, 1990 became the Day of Pride in the history which united the people of Azerbaijan into a community of citizens of an independent nation and strengthened their resolve to achieve that independence. It became a page of heroism in the history of the struggle for the independence and territorial integrity, and Azerbaijan finally restored its independence. “But Armenian terrorism and extremism against Azerbaijan still continues, 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan is under occupation and brave soldiers of Azerbaijani army, as well as civilians, women and children lose their lives in the line of contact because of Armenian provocations.” The Ambassador noted that the people of Azerbaijan and Pakistan have always commemorated their martyrs’ memory and remembered them with appreciation.
During the event, various books, magazines and other visual materials reflecting Azerbaijan’s truths were distributed, as well as video materials about the historical and political significance of the 20 January massacre and the memory of the martyrs were displayed. Moreover, interviews given by Ambassador Ali Alizada on the commemoration day were also broadcasted on Pakistan's television channels.
